Liquid flow indicator device and method of use

ABSTRACT

A fluid transport system, comprising: a first container; a second container; a coupler coupled between the first container and the second container, the coupler including: a body portion, the body portion defining an aperture configured for fluid flow through an interior of the body portion; a flange and one or more indicator objects sealed within the body portion of the coupler, the flange has means for containing the indicator objects; wherein the fluid transport system is configured to permit fluid flow from the first container through the coupler to the second container; and wherein the indicator objects make a noise, when the fluid flows through the means for containing the indicator objects, thereby providing audio notification to a user that the fluid is flowing from the first container through the flange sealed within the body portion of the coupler to the second container. A Liquid Flow Indicator Device and a method of using the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) and underall applicable U.S. statutes and regulations, to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/817,175, filed on Mar. 12, 2019. The disclosureof which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to a liquid flow indicator device andmethod of use, and in particular, the present disclosure relates to fueldelivery systems for tankers containing gas and diesel, but it can alsobe used to indicate the flow of fluid in automotive, heavy equipment,truck, and bus engine applications including the servicing of powersteering, cooling, hydraulic, and air conditioning systems as well asmany other deliveries such as alcohol, antifreeze, oil etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the rise in oil production and the need for carrying this preciouscommodity, wasting it becomes an unacceptable practice for the oilproduction companies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hasregulations on preventing oil spills, and oil shipping companies have toobey and act in the best interest of these regulations.

In recent years, reports have shown that an estimate of 18,000-24,000oil spills occur from the production, storage, transport, and use ofoil, and about 10-25 million gallons of oil are spilled yearly. Theseoil spills not only affect the companies in terms of monetary loss, butthey also can release toxins into our environment, threatening publichealth and safety and damaging wildlife habitats.

With the increased oil production in the U.S. in particular,transporting this commodity becomes crucial in order to refine theextracted oil substances into various by-products. The methods oftransporting oil can vary from air, sea, and land but the most efficientand cost effective method is through sea transportation. Unfortunately,there are many situations which require oil, or other liquids, such ashazardous, volatile, and/or flammable liquids, gasoline, fuels, fueloil, chemicals, etc., to be transported over land, and this requirestrucks equipped with large tanks to be utilized. These trucks, alsoknown simply as tankers, require that specific measures of safety andprecision be taken in order to deliver the oil to its destinationwhether it's a local gas station, refinery, or factory fuel supply.

Some tankers (e.g., sometimes called cargo tankers) might carry up toabout 11000 gallons, for example, but this may vary based on the typeand size of the tankers. The EPA has certain requirements that must beobeyed by tankers, for example collection efficiency should be assumedto be 98.7 percent. This means that for tanker trucks without leakage,the tanker should not be filled to 100 percent of its capacity.

A tanker-type truck is conventionally utilized to transport fuel fromstorage depots to various service stations. Typically, the tanker isdivided into a plurality of containers holding various types of fuel. Asight glass is preferably provided in the discharge tube from the tankerso that the flow of fuel may be directly observed by the tanker driverwhen discharging the fuel into the storage tanks at the service station.In this way, the tanker driver can check that fuel is flowing throughthe tube, as well as confirm the type of fuel flowing therethrough.

One type of sight glass currently utilized for this purpose is composedof a solid clear cast acrylic substance formed in the shape of a ring.The clear acrylic ring is then fastened between a pair of flangesconventionally found in a connection between two sections of the tankerdischarge tube. In this way, fuel flows through the hollow interior ofthe clear acrylic ring for viewing by the tanker driver.

It is not uncommon to find additives mixed in with conventional fuelproducts in order to raise the octane level of the fuel. Such additives,such as MTBE, have been found to dissolve, craze, or optically cloud theacrylic material, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the material asa sight glass. Acrylic is preferred material for use as a sight glass infuel lines, since the material is clear, yet more resistant to breakagethan glass.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide animproved sight glass device for fuel lines.

Tanker drivers while delivering liquid products have no knowledge ofproduct flow. Once the driver connects all of the hoses and opens themain internal valve on the tanker, the fuel begins to flow. There is noway to know what really is happening, other than a slight view throughan acrylic sight glass that is approximately 2″ thick. Under really goodlighting and a new slight glass, the driver can see there is the liquidflowing from the tank. But, with bad lighting and an old sight glassthat are discolored/yellowed, the driver can only guess, by picking upthe hose to see if it is full. It is basically a blind process.

Unfortunately, the industry is plagued with this issue. As such, thereis a need in the art for new device and a new way to help tanker driverbetter identify when liquid is flowing and when the liquid has stopflowing, so the tanker driver can be sure that there is no liquids thatwere accidently left on the tanker. Additionally and most importantly,we need to prevent cross contamination and/or over fills while loadingat a local gas station, refinery, or factory fuel supply.

This new device is a simple addition to existing fixtures that allowsthe driver to see as well as now be able to hear that the liquid isflowing and that his lines are full with product moving as well as beingable to hear when the liquid has stop flowing.

It is an object of this new device to allow the tanker drivers to havefull knowledge that the product is moving in the hose and stoppinghim/her from prematurely closing the internal valve until all of theliquid has been transferred and it is complete.

It is an object of this new invention to create a new device that isvery simple and helps solve a problem tanker driver have continuouslyhad that was supposedly solve with high priced electronics that claim toservice this same issue, but were not effective.

Most importantly with this device is the knowledge that it transfers tothe tanker driver of what is going on during the transfer of liquids,which has never been fully addressed by the prior inventions.

This new invention allows tanker drivers to see an object inside thesight glass, a novel point. With this invention the driver can see oneor more indicator balls bouncing around in the flow of liquid. A secondnovel point is that the balls bounce against an aluminum screen, makinga distinct noise, an audible sound that the driver can hear. Similar toa popcorn and/or a rattling noise, that allows them to hear liquidflowing. There has never been a product with an audible response in theindustry. While unloading at night or in inclement weather, being ableto hear and knowing that the fuel is flowing is an incredible safetyfeature.

It is an object of this new device to position it in the sight glasspinched between the flanges and position it between the piping thatleaves the internal valve and ends at the final shut off butterfly valveand folded into the sight glass pinched between the flanges.

It is a further object of this device to create a cage made of aluminumor stainless steel or similar material and hold one or more balls likemarbles that are not effected by the material being transferred andcontained inside the sight glass holding these balls into the flow ofproduct. When the product is flowing, these balls bounce and bangagainst the cage in the flow. The driver can see the balls bouncing, dueto they are a different color than the product. While they are bouncing,they are making this very unique sound, a rattle and/or tinkling noisethat is never before heard while moving liquids. This alone is a novelinvention that has never been introduced before.

As such, there is a need in the art for an invention that provides adevice that enhances Audio and Visual notifications to users regardingthe flow of liquid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a system andmethod for helping tanker driver better identify when liquid is flowingthrough a tube and when the liquid has stop flowing, so the tankerdriver can be sure that there is no liquids that were accidently left onthe tanker as well as prevent cross contamination and/or over fills.

It is an object of this invention to utilize a device that enhancesAudio and/or Visual notifications to users regarding the flow of liquid.

It is another object of this invention to utilize a new device thatallows the driver to see as well as now be able to hear that the liquidis flowing and that his lines are full with product moving as well asbeing able to hear when the liquid has stop flowing.

It is a further object of this invention to be able to transfers to thetanker driver the full knowledge of what is going on during the transferof liquids, that the product is moving in the hose and/or stopped movingand stopping him/her from prematurely closing the internal valve untilall of the liquid has been transferred and it is complete.

It is another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved sight glass which utilize a cage/screen containing one or moreindicator balls that are positioned in the center of the sight glasswhere liquid typically flow through.

It is one of the primary objects of the present invention to be able toutilize the level feature for the visual of the product in plumbing ofsuch compartment is achieved by observation of the balls. Wherein, ifthe balls are floating at the top of sight glass inside such cage,meaning that the compartment has product in it. Wherein, if balls are atthe bottom of cage it indicates plumbing is empty and compartment shouldhave no product in it

It is an object of this invention to utilize a cage/screen containingone or more indicator balls that are positioned in the sight glass.

It is an object of this invention to allows tanker drivers to see anobject inside the sight glass, a novel point, so the tanker drivers canquickly and easily determine whether liquid is flowing by seeing theobject move.

It is still yet another object of this invention to utilize one or moreindicator balls that will bounce around when liquid is flowing.

It is an object of this invention to utilize one or more indicator ballsthat bounce against a cage/screen thereby making a distinct noisesimilar to popcorn and/or a rattling noise, which allows the user tohear liquid flowing, a second novel point.

It is an object of this invention to utilize sight glass pinched betweenthe flanges and positioned between the piping that leaves the internalvalve and ends at the final shut off butterfly valve and folded into thesight glass pinched between the flanges.

It is an object of the invention that the device create a cage/screenmade of aluminum or stainless steel or similar material.

It is also object of this invention to utilize a cage/screen made ofaluminum or stainless steel or similar material that can hold one ormore indicator balls like marbles that are not effected by the materialbeing transferred and contained inside the sight glass holding theseballs into the flow of product.

It is an object of this invention to utilize one or more indicatorobjects that will bounce and bang against the cage/screen when theliquid flows through the sight glass containing the cage/screen. Whilethey are bouncing, they are making this very unique sound, a rattleand/or tinkling noise that typically has never been heard before whilemoving liquids.

It is an object of this invention to utilize one or more indicator ballsof different color for view in the sight glass to provide an eyecatching notification to the user as to whether fluid is flowing fromthe tanker to the storage unit.

In the preferred embodiment, it is an object of the invention that thedevice be constructed like a taco shape cage made of aluminum orstainless steel or similar material, which this cage system should bepositioned towards top of the sight glass, wherein one or more indicatorballs are folded inside as a taco that is positioned inside the sightglass, holding these balls into the flow of product.

In an alternative embodiment, it is an object of the invention toprovide a cage/screen that is positioned inside a portion of the centerpart of the sight glass, wherein one or more indicator balls arecontained inside the sight glass, holding these balls into the flow ofproduct.

In yet another alternative embodiment, it is an object of the inventionto provide a cage/screen that is positioned inside the entire center ofthe sight glass, wherein one or more indicator balls are containedinside the sight glass, holding these balls into the flow of product.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method of use for thetanker driver can check that fuel is flowing through the tube byproviding a tanker, a tube, a sight glass, a cage, one or more indicatorobjects contained in said cage that is positioned inside said sightglass; wherein before said fluid is turn on by said user to passedthrough said tube, said sight glass and said cage said indicator objectsare sitting still at the bottom of the cage and in the inside of thesight glass thereby indicating that said fluid is not yet flowingthrough said tube that is connect to sight glass and said cage; whereinwhen fluid is passed through said tube, said sight glass and said cagethen said indicator objects bouncing around the cage in the flow ofliquid thereby indicating said fluid is flowing; wherein when fluid hascompletely passed through said tube, said sight glass and said cage thensaid indicator objects will not bouncing around said cage and will besitting still at the bottom of the cage and in the inside of the sightglass, thereby indicating that fluid is nolonger flowing through saidtube and said sight glass and said cage.

It is another object of this invention to work on various liquids thatare transferred by tanker transport, for such liquids as gasoline anddiesel to filling stations. Additionally, this invention can alsotransport a wide variety of other liquid goods such as liquid sugar,molasses, milk, wine, juices, water, and industrial chemicals.

It is an object of this invention to create a device that is easy tomanufacture, reliable in operation, and relatively inexpensive toproduce.

These and further objects of the invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the relevant art and after a study of the present disclosureof the invention.

In addition to the above objects, various other objects of thisinvention will be apparent from careful reading of this specificationincluding the detail description contained herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These as well as other features of the present invention will becomeapparent upon reference to the accompanying drawings wherein likenumerals designate corresponding parts in the several figures,summarized as follows:

FIG. 1A is a sight glass.

FIG. 1B is a flange with a cage wall.

FIG. 1C is an indicator object.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the inventionshowing the sight glass, seals, flanges and one or more indicatorobjects contained in said sight glass between the two flanges to createa cage for containing said indicator object.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the invention showingthe sight glass, a flange and one or more indicator objects contained insaid sight glass and wherein said flange is bent like a taco to create acage for containing said indicator object; wherein FIGS. 11-14 also showsaid flange being bent like a taco to create a cage, however, this viewshows the cage in a different orientation when compared to FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the inventionshowing a sight glass, a flange have a cage and one or more indicatorobjects contained in said sight glass and in said flange that hascreated a cage for containing said indicator object.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tanker used to transport the liquidthat flows through the housing of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a close up view of the fuel connections for the tanker havinga housing of this invention for liquid to flows through.

FIG. 10 is a close up view of the fuel connections for the tanker havinga housing (flange sight view adapter) of this invention showing a sightglass within the body portion; one or more indicator objects containedwithin said house; and said housing has means for containing saidindicator objects.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention showing a housing (flange sight view adapter), a body portiondefining an aperture configured for a fluid to flow through an interiorof the body portion (a tube linear), wherein said housing has a sightglass, a flange and one or more indicator objects contained in saidflange that has created a cage for containing said indicator object, andwherein said indicator objects can provide a visual indicator and/or anaudio sound indicator as liquid move through said tube linear, therebyaltering a user that liquid is flowing or has stop flowing.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention showing that a user is now able to perform a visual inspectionusing one or more eyes independently as to the fluid, whether liquid isflowing through a tube linear, a sight glass, a flange and one or moreindicator objects contained in said sight glass and in said flange thathas created a cage for containing said indicator object, and whereinsaid indicator objects provide said visual as liquid move through saidtube linear, thereby altering a user that liquid is flowing or has stopflowing.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention showing that a user is now able to perform an audio inspectionindependently as to the fluid, whether liquid is flowing through a tubelinear, NO sight glass, a flange and one or more indicator objectscontained in said tube linear and in said flange that has created a cagefor containing said indicator object, and wherein said indicator objectsprovide said audio sound as liquid move through said tube linear,thereby altering a user that liquid is flowing or has stop flowing.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention showing that a user is now able to perform a visual inspectionusing one or more eyes and also an audio inspection using one or moreears independently as to the fluid, whether liquid is flowing through atube linear, a sight glass, a flange and one or more indicator objectscontained in said sight glass and in said flange that has created a cagefor containing said indicator object, and wherein said indicator objectsprovide said visual and said audio sound as liquid move through saidtube linear, thereby altering a user that liquid is flowing or has stopflowing.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention showing the sight glass having a built in cage for containingone or more indicator objects, wherein said sight glass and cage aremanufactured as one piece with one or more indicator objects inside.

FIG. 16 is a back perspective view of the alternative embodiment of theinvention showing the sight glass having a built in cage for containingone or more indicator objects.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing an alternative embodiment showing thesight glass having a built in cage for containing one or more indicatorobjects.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment ofthe invention showing a sight glass having a cage that is bent tocontain one or more indicator objects, wherein said sight glass and cageare manufactured as one piece with one or more indicator objects inside.

FIG. 19 is a top view of another alternative embodiment of the inventionshowing a sight glass, a flange, and one indicator objects containedwithin said flange.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the inventionshowing a sight glass, a flange, and one indicator objects containedwithin said flange.

FIG. 21 is a front view of the alternative embodiment of the inventionshowing a sight glass, a flange, and one indicator objects containedwithin said flange.

FIG. 22 is a back view of the alternative embodiment of the inventionshowing a sight glass, a flange, and one indicator objects containedwithin said flange.

FIG. 23 is a side view of a housing (fuel delivery adapter) modifiedwith this invention to hold a sight glass, a flange, and one indicatorobjects contained within said flange and shown in the sight glass.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a housing (fuel delivery adapter)modified with this invention to hold a sight glass, a flange, and oneindicator objects contained within said flange and shown in the sightglass.

FIG. 25 is a perspective side view of a housing (flange sight viewadapter) modified with this invention to hold a sight glass, a flange,and one indicator objects contained within said flange and shown in thesight glass.

FIG. 26 is a perspective side view of a housing (flange sight viewadapter) modified with this invention to hold a sight glass, a flange,and one indicator objects contained within said flange and shown in thesight glass.

FIG. 27 is a side view of a housing (flange sight view adapter) modifiedwith this invention to hold a sight glass, a flange, and one indicatorobjects contained within said flange and shown in the sight glass.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a tanker used to transport the liquidthat flows through one or more housing(s) of this invention when fluidis transferred between a first fluid storage segment and a second fluidstorage segment by using a body portion defining an aperture configuredfor a fluid to flow through an interior of the body portion; wherein onehousing is positioned near the first fluid storage segment (i.e. tanker)and is shown in FIGS. 8-14; wherein another housing is positioned nearthe second fluid storage segment (i.e. ground storage) and is shown inFIGS. 23-24 and 28, showing a perspective view of a housing (fueldelivery adapter) modified with this invention to hold a sight glass, aflange, and one indicator objects contained within said flange and shownin the sight glass; wherein said indicator objects can provide a visualindicator and/or an audio sound indicator as liquid move through saidtube linear, thereby altering a user that liquid is flowing or has stopflowing.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, variousfeatures of embodiments of the invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description and accompanying drawings areprovided for purpose of illustrating and describing precisely thepreferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention in anyway. It will be understood thatvarious changes in the details, materials arrangements of parts oroperational conditions which have been herein described and illustratedin order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by thoseskilled in the art within the principles and scope of this invention.

FIGS. 1-28 show the preferred embodiment of the invention as well assome alternative embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1A is a sight glass10. FIG. 1B is a flange 15 with a cage wall 20. FIG. 1C is an indicatorobject 30.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views of an alternative embodiment of the inventionshowing the sight glass 10, flanges 15 and one or more indicator objects30 contained in said sight glass 10 between the first flange and asecond flange to create a cage 20 for containing said indicator object30. A spacer (not shown) can be inserted into an alternative embodimentbetween the sight glass 10 and the flange 15 on each side of said sightglass 10, if desired.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 19-22 are views of the preferred embodiment of theinvention showing the sight glass 10, a flange 15 and one or moreindicator objects 30 contained in said sight glass 10 and wherein saidflange 15 is bent like an upside down taco to create a cage 20 forcontaining said indicator object 30.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views of another embodiment of the invention showing asight glass 10, a flange 15 have a cage 20 and one or more indicatorobjects 30 contained in said sight glass 10 and in said flange 15 thathas created a cage 20 for containing said indicator object 30.

FIGS. 8, 9, and 28 are views of a tanker 50 used to transport the liquidthat flows through a housing 70 or 170 of this invention, when fluid istransferred between a first fluid storage segment 100 (i.e. tanker) anda second fluid storage segment 200 (i.e. ground storage) by using saidhousing 70 and said body portion 160 defining an aperture configured fora fluid to flow through an interior of the body portion 160.

FIG. 10-14 and FIG. 25-27 is a view of the fuel connections for thetanker having a housing 70 (flange sight view adapter) of thisinvention, a body portion 160 defining an aperture configured for afluid to flow through an interior of the body portion 160 of a tubelinear, wherein said housing 70 has a sight glass 10, a cage 20 and oneor more indicator objects 30 contained in said a cage 20 for containingsaid indicator object 30. Wherein FIG. 12 is a perspective view of analternative embodiment of the invention showing that a user 300 usinghis eyes 305 is now able to perform a visual inspection 307. WhereinFIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention showing that a user 300 using his ears 310 is now able toperform an audio inspection 312. Wherein FIG. 14 is a perspective viewof the preferred embodiment of the invention showing that a user is nowable to perform a visual inspection 307 and also an audio inspection312, whether liquid is flowing through a body portion 160 and a housing70 having a sight glass 10, a flange and one or more indicator objects30 contained in said sight glass 10 and in said flange that has createda cage 20 for containing said indicator object 30, and wherein saidindicator objects 30 provide said visual and said audio sound as liquidmove through said body portion of a tube linear, thereby altering a user300 that liquid is flowing or has stop flowing.

FIG. 15-17 are views of an alternative embodiment of the inventionshowing the sight glass 10 having a built in cage 20 for containing oneor more indicator objects 30, wherein said sight glass 10 and cage 20are manufactured as one piece with one or more indicator objects 30inside.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment ofthe invention showing a sight glass 10 having a cage 20 to contain oneor more indicator objects 30, wherein said sight glass 10 and cage 20are manufactured as one piece with one or more indicator objects 30inside;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are views of a housing 170 (fuel delivery adapter)modified with this invention to hold a sight glass 10, a cage 20, andone indicator objects 30 contained within said cage 20 and shown in thesight glass 10.

FIG. 25-27 are views of a housing 70 (flange sight view adapter)modified with this invention to hold a sight glass 10, a cage 20, andone indicator objects 30 contained within said cage 20 and shown in thesight glass 10.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a tanker 50 used to transport theliquid that flows through one or more housing(s) 70 and/or 170 of thisinvention when fluid is transferred between a first fluid storagesegment 100 and a second fluid storage segment 200 by using a bodyportion 160 defining an aperture configured for a fluid to flow throughan interior of the body portion 160; wherein one housing 70 ispositioned near the first fluid storage segment 100 (i.e. tanker) and isshown in FIGS. 8-14; wherein another housing 170 is positioned near thesecond fluid storage segment 200 (i.e. ground storage) and is shown inFIGS. 23-24 and 28, showing a perspective view of a housing (fueldelivery adapter) modified with this invention to hold a sight glass 10,a cage 20, and one indicator objects 30 contained within said cage 20 orflange 15 and shown in the sight glass 10. Wherein said indicatorobjects 30 can provide a visual indicator 307 and/or an audio soundindicator 312 as liquid move through said body portion 160 of said tubelinear, thereby altering a user 300 that liquid is flowing or has stopflowing.

A liquid flow indicator device comprising: a sight glass 10 having firstend and a second end; said sight glass has an aperture configured for afluid to flow through an interior of said sight glass; said sight glass10 has one or more cages 20 positioned around said sight glass forcontaining one or more indicator objects 30, so a user 300 can see withhis eyes 305 said indicator objects 30, which are visible by said user300 looking through said sight glass, thereby providing visualnotification 307 to said user; wherein when said liquid is flowingthrough said cages 20 and said sight glass 10, said indicator objects 30will float around inside said cage 20, thereby providing visualnotification 307 to said user 300 that said liquid is flowing throughsaid cage 20 and said sight glass 10; and wherein when said liquid isnot flowing through said cages 20 and said sight glass 10, saidindicator objects will sit still inside said cage 20, thereby providingvisual notification 307 to said user 300 that said liquid is not flowingthrough said cage 20 and said sight glass 10.

Wherein said indicator objects 30 makes a sound when said liquid flowsthrough said sight glass 10 and through said cage 20 by banging aroundinside said cage 20, thereby providing audio notification 312 to saiduser 300 and his ears 310 that said liquid is flowing through said sightglass 10.

Wherein said cages 20 are built into said first end and said second endof said sight glass 10.

Wherein said cage 20 is created by bending a flange 15 that ispositioned around said sight glass 10 to provide visual notification 307to said user 300 looking through said sight glass 10.

Wherein said cage 20 is created by positioning a first flange aroundsaid first end of said sight glass 10 and a second flange around saidsecond end of said sight glass 10, said first flange and said secondflange each have a cages wall for containing said indicator objects 30,when said liquid flows through said sight glass 10.

Wherein said cages are positioned inside said sight glass.

Wherein said cage 20 is created by bending a flange 15 that ispositioned inside said sight glass 10 to provide visual notification 307to said user 300 looking through said sight glass 10.

Wherein said cage 20 is attached to a flange 15, which is positionedinside said sight glass 10 to provide visual notification 307 to saiduser 300 looking through said sight glass 10.

Wherein said indicator objects 30 is chosen from a group consisting ofsteel, aluminum, aluminum alloys, titanium, plastic, rubber, carbonfiber, composite materials, or some combination thereof.

Wherein said indicator objects 30 is chosen from a group consisting ofSpheres, Cubes, Cuboids, Ellipsoids, Cylinders, Cones, TriangularPrisms, Hexagonal Prisms, Triangular-based pyramids, Square basedpyramids, Hexagonal Pyramids, Tetrahedrons, Octahedrons, Dodecahedrons,Cosahedron or some combination thereof.

Wherein said indicator objects 30 are of different sizes, differentshapes, different colors, and different designs. Wherein said indicatorobjects 30 are manufactured from different materials. Wherein saidindicator objects 30 will provide both visual notifications 307 and/oraudible notifications 312 to said user 300.

A fluid transport system, comprising: a first container 100; a secondcontainer 200; a coupler 150 coupled between the first container and thesecond container, the coupler including a body portion 160, the bodyportion defining an aperture configured for a fluid to flow through aninterior of the body portion; a housing 70 having an opening thereinsized to receive a sight glass 10; said sight glass 10 has an apertureconfigured for the fluid to flow through an interior of said sight glass10; one or more indicator objects 30 contained within said housing 70;and said housing 70 has means for containing said indicator objects 30;said housing 70 is attached to said coupler 150; wherein the fluidtransport system is configured to permit fluid flow from the firstcontainer 100 through the coupler 150 to the second container 200 ;wherein said fluid flows through said means for containing saidindicator objects 30 in said housing 70 of said body portion 160 of saidcoupler 150, said indicator objects 30 will bounce around, therebyproviding audible notification 307 to a user 300 that said fluid isflowing from said first container 100 through said sight glass 100sealed in the body portion 160 of said coupler 150 to said secondcontainer 200; and wherein said indicator objects 30 are positioned insaid sight glass 10 and when said fluid flows through said means forcontaining said indicator objects 30 in said housing 70 of said coupler150, thereby providing visual notification 307 to said user 300 thatsaid fluid is flowing from said first container 100 through said sightglass 10 sealed in the body portion 160 of said coupler 150 to saidsecond container 200 as shown in FIG. 12.

Wherein said housing contained in said coupler. As shown in FIGS. 23,24, and 28, said housing 170 is a fuel delivery adapter modified withthis invention to hold a sight glass 10, a cage 20, and one indicatorobjects 30 contained within said cage 20 and shown in the sight glass10. As shown in FIGS. 8-14 and 25-28, said housing 70 is flange sightview adapter modified with this invention to hold a sight glass 10, acage 20, and one indicator objects 30 contained within said cage 20 andshown in the sight glass 10.

Wherein said indicator objects 30 will provide both visual and/oraudible notifications to said user 300. Wherein said means forcontaining said indicator objects 30 is two or more cage walls 20 thatare attached to said sight glass 10. Wherein said means for containingsaid indicator objects 30 is two or more cage walls 20 that are builtinto said sight glass 10 see FIGS. 15-17. Wherein said means forcontaining said indicator objects 30 is one or more cage walls 20 thatare attached to one or more flanges 15 in said body portion to createone or more cages 20. Wherein said means for containing said indicatorobjects 30 is a cage 20 that is built into said body portion 160.Wherein said means for containing said indicator objects 30 is a firstflange and a second flange each having a cage wall 20, which arepositioned adjacent to said flanges 15 to create a cage 20, and saidflanges 15 are connected to said body portion 160. Wherein saidindicator objects 30 will provide both visual notifications 307 andaudible notifications 312 to said user 300.

A liquid flow indicator assembly, comprising: a body portion 160configured to couple between a first fluid transport segment 100 and asecond fluid transport segment 200, the body portion 160 defining anaperture configured for a fluid to flow through an interior of the bodyportion 150; a housing 70 having an opening therein sized to receive asight glass 10 within the body portion 160; one or more indicatorobjects 30 contained within said house 70; and said housing has meansfor containing said indicator objects 30; and wherein the fluid isconfigured to permit fluid flow from the first fluid transport segment100 to the second fluid transport segment 200; wherein said fluid flowsthrough said means for containing said indicator objects 30 in saidhousing 70 of said body portion 150, said indicator objects 30 willbounce around, thereby providing audible notification 312 to a user 300that said fluid is flowing from said the first fluid transport segment100 through said sight glass 10 sealed in the body portion 160 to thesecond fluid transport segment 200; and wherein said indicator objects30 are positioned in said sight glass 10 and when said fluid flowsthrough said means for containing said indicator objects 30 in saidhousing 70 of said body portion 150, thereby providing visualnotification 307 to said user 300 that said fluid is flowing from thefirst fluid transport segment 100 through said sight glass 10 sealed inthe body portion 160 to the second fluid transport segment 200.

Wherein said means for containing said indicator objects 30 arepositioned around said sight glass 10. Wherein said means for containingsaid indicator objects 30 is two or more cage walls 20 that are attachedto said sight glass 10. Wherein said means for containing said indicatorobjects 30 is two or more cage walls 20 that are built into said sightglass 10. Wherein said means for containing said indicator objects 30 isone or more cage walls 20 that are attached to one or more flanges 15 insaid body portion to create one or more cages. Wherein said means forcontaining said indicator objects 30 is a flange 15, which is bent tocreate a cage 20, and said flange 15 is connected to said body portion150. Wherein said means for containing said indicator objects 30 is afirst flange and a second flange each having a cage wall 20, which arepositioned adjacent said sight glass 10 so said flanges 15 will create acage 20 around said sight glass 10, and said flanges 15 are connected tosaid body portion 160. Wherein said indicator objects 30 will provideboth visual notifications 307 and/or audible notifications 312 to saiduser 300.

A method for monitoring liquid flow in a body portion configured tocouple between a first fluid container and a second fluid container,said method comprising: providing a first fluid container 100, a secondfluid container 200, a coupler 150 coupled between the first containerand the second container, the coupler including: a body portion 160, thebody portion 160 defining an aperture configured for fluid flow throughan interior of the body portion, a housing 170 having an opening thereinsized to receive a sight glass 10 within the body portion of the coupler150, one or more indicator objects 30 contained around said sight glass10, and said sight glass 10 has means for containing said indicatorobjects 30; wherein the fluid transport system is configured to permitfluid flow from the first fluid container 100 through the coupler 150 tothe second fluid container 200; and wherein said indicator objects 30make a noise, when said fluid flows through said means for containingsaid indicator objects 30, thereby providing audio notification 312 to auser 300 that said fluid is flowing from said first container 100through said housing 170 sealed within the body portion 160 of saidcoupler 150 to said second container 200.

Wherein said means for containing said indicator objects 30 arepositioned inside said sight glass 10, so a user 300 can see saidindicator objects 30, which are visible by said user 300 looking throughsaid sight glass 10, thereby providing visual notification 307 to saiduser 300. Wherein said indicator objects 300 will provide both visualnotifications 307 and audible notifications 312 to said user 300.Wherein said means for containing said indicator objects 30 arepositioned around said sight glass 10. Wherein said means for containingsaid indicator objects is two or more cage walls 20 that are attached tosaid sight glass 10. Wherein said means for containing said indicatorobjects 10 is two or more cage walls 20 that are built into said sightglass 10. Wherein said means for containing said indicator objects 30 isone or more cage walls 20 that are attached to one or more flanges 15 insaid body portion to create one or more cages 20. Wherein said means forcontaining said indicator objects 30 is a flange 15, which is bent tocreate a cage 20, and said flange 15 is connected to said body portion160. Wherein said means for containing said indicator objects 30 is afirst flange and a second flange each having a cage wall 20, which arepositioned adjacent said sight glass 10 so said flanges 15 will create acage 20 around said sight glass 10, and said flanges 15 are connected tosaid body portion 160.

A liquid flow indicator device comprising: a flange 15; one or moreindicator objects 30; said flange 15 has means for containing one ormore indicator objects 30; and said flange 15 is connected to a bodyportion 160 having an aperture configured for a fluid to flow through aninterior of the body portion; and said indicator objects 30 make anoise, when said liquid flows through said body portion 160 and saidmeans for containing said indicator objects 30, thereby providing audionotification 312 to a user 300 that said liquid is flowing through saidflange 15 and said body portion 160 as shown in FIG. 13.

Further comprising: a sight glass 10; and said flange 15 is positionedinside said sight glass 10, so said user 30 can see said indicatorobjects, which are visible by said user looking through said sight glass10 contained by said flange 15 having means for holding said indicatorobjects 30 as shown in FIG. 14.

Wherein said flange 15 has two or more cage walls 20 that are attachedto said flange 15 for containing one or more indicator objects 30.Wherein said flange 15 has two or more cage walls 20 that are built intosaid flange 15 for containing one or more indicator objects 30. Whereinsaid flange 15 has one or more cage walls 20 that are attached to one ormore flanges 15 to create one or more cages 20 for containing one ormore indicator objects 30. Wherein said flange 15 has a cage 20 forcontaining one or more indicator objects 30. Wherein said means forcontaining said indicator objects 30 is a first flange and a secondflange each having a cage wall 20, which are positioned adjacent to saidflanges 15 to create a cage 20, and said flanges 15 are connected tosaid body portion 160.

Further comprising: a sight glass 10; said cage 20 of said flange 10 ispositioned around said sight glass 10, so said user can see saidindicator objects 30, which are visible by said user 300 looking throughsaid sight glass 10 contained in said cage 20 of said flange 15.

A fluid transport system, comprising: a first container 100; a secondcontainer 200; a coupler 150 coupled between the first container 100 andthe second container 200, the coupler 150 including: a body portion 160,the body portion 160 defining an aperture configured for fluid flowthrough an interior of the body portion; a flange 15 and one or moreindicator objects 30 sealed within the body portion 160 of said coupler150, said flange 15 has means for containing said indicator objects 30;wherein the fluid transport system is configured to permit fluid flowfrom the first container 100 through the coupler 150 to the secondcontainer 200; and wherein said indicator objects 30 make a noise, whensaid fluid flows through said means for containing said indicatorobjects 30, thereby providing notice to a user 300 that said fluid isflowing from said first container 100 through said flange 15 sealedwithin the body portion 160 of said coupler 150 to said second container200.

Further comprising: a sight glass 10; said sight glass 10 is attached tothe body portion 160 of said coupler 150; and said flange 15 ispositioned inside said sight glass 10, so said user 300 can see saidindicator objects 30, which are visible by said user 300 looking throughsaid sight glass 10 contained by said flange 15 having means for holdingsaid indicator objects 30.

Wherein said indicator objects 30 will provide both visual notifications307 and/or audible notifications 312 to said user 300.

Wherein said means for containing said indicator objects 30 is one ormore cage walls 20 that are attached to one or more flanges 15 to createone or more cages 20.

Further comprising: a sight glass 10; and said cage 20 of said flange 15is positioned inside said sight glass 10, so said user 300 can see saidindicator objects 30, which are visible by said user 300 looking throughsaid sight glass 10 contained in said cage 20 of said flange 15.

Wherein said flange 15 is a cage 20. Wherein said flange 15 has one ormore cage walls 20 that are attached to said flange 15 for containingone or more indicator objects 30. Wherein said flange 15 has one or morecage walls 20 that are built into said flange 15 for containing one ormore indicator objects 30. Wherein said means for containing saidindicator objects 30 is a first flange and a second flange each having acage wall 20, which are positioned adjacent to said flanges 15 to createa cage 20, and said flanges 15 are connected to said body portion 160.

Further comprising: a sight glass 10; and said cage 20 of said flange 15is positioned inside said sight glass 10, so said user 300 can see saidindicator objects 30, which are visible by said user 300 looking throughsaid sight glass 10 contained in said cage 20 of said flange 15.

A liquid flow indicator assembly, comprising: a body portion 160configured to couple between a first fluid transport segment 100 and asecond fluid transport segment 200, the body portion 160 defining anaperture configured for fluid flow through an interior of the bodyportion; a housing 70 having an opening therein sized to receive aflange 15 within the body portion 160; one or more indicator objects 30contained within said flange 15; said flange 15 has means for containingsaid indicator objects 30.

Further comprising: a sight glass 10; said sight glass 10 is attached tothe body portion 160; said flange 15 is positioned inside said sightglass 10, so said user 300 can see said indicator objects 30 which arevisible by said user 300 looking through said sight glass 10 containedby said flange 15 having means for holding said indicator objects 30.

Wherein said means for containing said indicator objects 30 is one ormore cage walls 20 that are attached to one or more flanges 15 to createone or more cages 20.

Wherein said flange 15 has a cage 20. Wherein said flange 15 has one ormore cage walls 20 that are attached to said flange 15 for containingone or more indicator objects 30. Wherein said flange 15 has one or morecage walls 20 that are built into said flange 15 for containing one ormore indicator objects 30.

Wherein said means for containing said indicator objects 30 is a firstflange 15 and a second flange 15 each having a cage wall 20, which arepositioned adjacent to said flanges 15 to create a cage 20, and saidflanges 15 are connected to said body portion 160.

Further comprising: a sight glass 10; said cage 20 of said flange 15 ispositioned inside said sight glass 10, so said user can see saidindicator objects 30, which are visible by said user 300 looking throughsaid sight glass 10 contained in said cage 20 of said flange 15.

A method for monitoring liquid flow in a body portion configured tocouple between a first fluid container and a second fluid container,said method comprising: providing a body portion 160 defining anaperture configured for fluid flow through an interior of the bodyportion, a first fluid container 100, a second fluid container 200, acoupler 150 coupled between the first container 100 and the secondcontainer 200, the coupler 150 including: a body portion 160, the bodyportion defining an aperture configured for fluid flow through aninterior of the body portion 160, a housing 70 having an opening thereinsized to receive a flange 15 within the body portion 160, one or moreindicator objects 30 contained within said flange 15, and said flange 15has means for containing said indicator objects 30; wherein the fluidtransport system is configured to permit fluid flow from the first fluidcontainer 100 through the coupler 150 to the second fluid container 200;and wherein said indicator objects 30 make a noise, when said fluidflows through said means for containing said indicator objects 30,thereby providing audio notification 312 to a user 300 that said fluidis flowing from said first container 100 through said flange 15 sealedwithin the body portion 160 of said coupler 150 to said second container200.

Further comprising: a sight glass 10; said sight glass 10 is attached tothe body portion 160 of said coupler 150; and said flange 15 ispositioned inside said sight glass 10, so said user 300 can see saidindicator objects 30, which are visible to said user 300 looking throughsaid sight glass 300 contained by said flange 15 having means forcontaining said indicator objects 30.

Wherein said indicator objects 30 will provide both visual notifications307 and audible notifications 312 to said user 300.

Wherein said means for containing said indicator objects 30 is one ormore cage walls 20 that are attached to one or more flanges 15 to createone or more cages 20. Wherein said flange 15 has a cage 20. Wherein saidflange 15 has one or more cage walls 20 that are attached to said flange15 for containing one or more indicator objects 30. Wherein said flange15 has one or more cage walls 20 that are built into said flange 15 forcontaining one or more indicator objects 30. Wherein said means forcontaining said indicator objects 30 is a first flange and a secondflange each having a cage wall 20, which are positioned adjacent to saidflanges 15 to create a cage 20, and said flanges 15 are connected tosaid body portion 160.

Further comprising: a sight glass 10; and said flange 10 is positionedinside said sight glass 10, so said user 300 can see said indicatorobjects 30 contained in said cage 20, said indicator objects 30 arevisible to said user 300 looking through said sight glass 10, therebyproviding visual notifications 307 to said user 300.

This design is a simple product that bolts between the existing sightglass and flanges, pinching it within the piping and in the flow of theproduct being unloaded. It allows a driver to see inside the sightglass, a novel point. The driver can see the indicator balls bouncingaround in the flow of liquid. A second novel point is that the ballsbounce against an aluminum screen, making a distinct noise, an audiblesound that the driver can hear. Similar to a popcorn and/or a rattlingnoise, that allows them to hear liquid flowing. There has never been aproduct with an audible response in the industry. While unloading atnight or in inclement weather, being able to hear and knowing that thefuel is flowing is an incredible safety feature.

In one embodiment of this invention, the device is a screen folded in ½that hangs down inside the manifold piping of a transport tank after theinternal valve. It is pinched between the piping that leaves theinternal valve and ends at the final shut off butterfly valve and foldedinto the sight glass pinched between the flanges. This device can bemade of aluminum or stainless and holds several balls like marbles thatare not effected by the material being transferred. It is folded insidethe sight glass, like a taco, holding these balls into the flow ofproduct. When the product is flowing, these balls bounce and bangagainst the screen in the flow. The driver can see the balls bouncing,due to they are a different color than the product. While they arebouncing, they are making this very unique sound, a rattle and/ortinkling noise that is never before heard while moving liquids. Thisalone is a novel invention that has never been introduced before. Audioand visual of liquid flow from a transport tank.

It is an object of the invention that the device be constructed like anupside down taco made of aluminum or stainless steel or similarmaterial, wherein one or more indicator balls are folded inside the tacothat is positioned inside the sight glass, holding these balls into theflow of product.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cage/screen that ispositioned inside a portion of the center part of the sight glass,wherein one or more indicator balls are contained inside the sightglass, holding these balls into the flow of product.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cage/screen that ispositioned inside the entire center of the sight glass, wherein one ormore indicator balls are contained inside the sight glass, holding theseballs into the flow of product.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The presently disclosedembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive.

I claim:
 1. A Liquid Flow Indicator Device comprising: a flange; one ormore indicator objects; said flange has means for containing one or moreindicator objects; and said flange is connected to a body portion havingan aperture configured for a fluid to flow through an interior of thebody portion; and said indicator objects make a noise, when said liquidflows through said body portion and said means for containing saidindicator objects, thereby providing audio notification to a user thatsaid liquid is flowing through said flange and said body portion.
 2. Aliquid flow indicator device of claim 1, further comprising: a sightglass; and said flange is positioned inside said sight glass, so saiduser can see said indicator objects, which are visible by said userlooking through said sight glass contained by said flange having meansfor holding said indicator objects.
 3. A liquid flow indicator device ofclaim 1, wherein said flange has two or more cage walls that areattached to said flange for containing one or more indicator objects. 4.A liquid flow indicator device of claim 1, wherein said flange has twoor more cage walls that are built into said flange for containing one ormore indicator objects.
 5. A liquid flow indicator device of claim 1,wherein said flange has one or more cage walls that are attached to oneor more flanges to create one or more cages for containing one or moreindicator objects.
 6. A liquid flow indicator device of claim 1, whereinsaid flange has a cage for containing one or more indicator objects. 7.A liquid flow indicator device of claim 1, wherein said means forcontaining said indicator objects is a first flange and a second flangeeach having a cage wall, which are positioned adjacent to said flangesto create a cage, and said flanges are connected to said body portion.8. A liquid flow indicator device of claim 1, further comprising: asight glass; said cage of said flange is positioned around said sightglass, so said user can see said indicator objects, which are visible bysaid user looking through said sight glass contained in said cage ofsaid flange.
 9. A fluid transport system, comprising: a first container;a second container; a coupler coupled between the first container andthe second container, the coupler including: a body portion, the bodyportion defining an aperture configured for fluid flow through aninterior of the body portion; a flange and one or more indicator objectssealed within the body portion of said coupler, said flange has meansfor containing said indicator objects; wherein the fluid transportsystem is configured to permit fluid flow from the first containerthrough the coupler to the second container; and wherein said indicatorobjects make a noise, when said fluid flows through said means forcontaining said indicator objects, thereby providing notice to a userthat said fluid is flowing from said first container through said flangesealed within the body portion of said coupler to said second container.10. A fluid transport system of claim 9, further comprising: a sightglass; said sight glass is attached to the body portion of said coupler;and said flange is positioned inside said sight glass, so said user cansee said indicator objects, which are visible by said user lookingthrough said sight glass contained by said flange having means forholding said indicator objects.
 11. A fluid transport system of claim10, wherein said indicator objects will provide both visual and audiblenotifications to said user.
 12. A fluid transport system of claim 9,wherein said means for containing said indicator objects is one or morecage walls that are attached to one or more flanges to create one ormore cages.
 13. A fluid transport system of claim 12, furthercomprising: a sight glass; and said cage of said flange is positionedinside said sight glass, so said user can see said indicator objects,which are visible by said user looking through said sight glasscontained in said cage of said flange.
 14. A fluid transport system ofclaim 9, wherein said flange is a cage.
 15. A fluid transport system ofclaim 9, wherein said flange has one or more cage walls that areattached to said flange for containing one or more indicator objects.16. A fluid transport system of claim 9, wherein said flange has one ormore cage walls that are built into said flange for containing one ormore indicator objects.
 17. A fluid transport system of claim 9, whereinsaid means for containing said indicator objects is a first flange and asecond flange each having a cage wall, which are positioned adjacent tosaid flanges to create a cage, and said flanges are connected to saidbody portion.
 18. A fluid transport system of claim 17, furthercomprising: a sight glass; and said cage of said flange is positionedinside said sight glass, so said user can see said indicator objects,which are visible by said user looking through said sight glasscontained in said cage of said flange.
 19. A liquid flow indicatorassembly, comprising: a body portion configured to couple between afirst fluid transport segment and a second fluid transport segment, thebody portion defining an aperture configured for fluid flow through aninterior of the body portion; a housing having an opening therein sizedto receive a flange within the body portion; one or more indicatorobjects contained within said flange; said flange has means forcontaining said indicator objects.
 20. A liquid flow indicator assemblyof claim 19, further comprising: a sight glass; said sight glass isattached to the body portion; said flange is positioned inside saidsight glass, so said user can see said indicator objects which arevisible by said user looking through said sight glass contained by saidflange having means for holding said indicator objects.
 21. A liquidflow indicator assembly of claim 19, wherein said means for containingsaid indicator objects is one or more cage walls that are attached toone or more flanges to create one or more cages.
 22. A liquid flowindicator assembly of claim 19, wherein said flange has a cage.
 23. Aliquid flow indicator assembly of claim 19, wherein said flange has oneor more cage walls that are attached to said flange for containing oneor more indicator objects.
 24. A liquid flow indicator assembly of claim19, wherein said flange has one or more cage walls that are built intosaid flange for containing one or more indicator objects.
 25. A liquidflow indicator assembly of claim 19, wherein said means for containingsaid indicator objects is a first flange and a second flange each havinga cage wall, which are positioned adjacent to said flanges to create acage, and said flanges are connected to said body portion
 26. A liquidflow indicator assembly of claim 25, further comprising: a sight glass;said cage of said flange is positioned inside said sight glass, so saiduser can see said indicator objects, which are visible by said userlooking through said sight glass contained in said cage of said flange.27. A method for monitoring liquid flow in a body portion configured tocouple between a first fluid container and a second fluid container,said method comprising: providing a body portion defining an apertureconfigured for fluid flow through an interior of the body portion, afirst fluid container, a second fluid container, a coupler coupledbetween the first container and the second container, the couplerincluding: a body portion, the body portion defining an apertureconfigured for fluid flow through an interior of the body portion, ahousing having an opening therein sized to receive a flange within thebody portion, one or more indicator objects contained within saidflange, and said flange has means for containing said indicator objects;wherein the fluid transport system is configured to permit fluid flowfrom the first fluid container through the coupler to the second fluidcontainer; and wherein said indicator objects make a noise, when saidfluid flows through said means for containing said indicator objects,thereby providing audio notification to a user that said fluid isflowing from said first container through said flange sealed within thebody portion of said coupler to said second container.
 28. A method formonitoring liquid flow of claim 27, further comprising: a sight glass;said sight glass is attached to the body portion of said coupler; andsaid flange is positioned inside said sight glass, so said user can seesaid indicator objects, which are visible to said user looking throughsaid sight glass contained by said flange having means for containingsaid indicator objects.
 29. A method for monitoring liquid flow of claim28, wherein said indicator objects will provide both visualnotifications and audible notifications to said user.
 30. A method formonitoring liquid flow of claim 27, wherein said means for containingsaid indicator objects is one or more cage walls that are attached toone or more flanges to create one or more cages.
 31. A method formonitoring liquid flow of claim 27, wherein said flange has a cage. 32.A method for monitoring liquid flow of claim 27, wherein said flange hasone or more cage walls that are attached to said flange for containingone or more indicator objects.
 33. A method for monitoring liquid flowof claim 27, wherein said flange has one or more cage walls that arebuilt into said flange for containing one or more indicator objects. 34.A method for monitoring liquid flow of claim 27, wherein said means forcontaining said indicator objects is a first flange and a second flangeeach having a cage wall, which are positioned adjacent to said flangesto create a cage, and said flanges are connected to said body portion.35. A method for monitoring liquid flow of claim 34, further comprising:a sight glass; and said flange is positioned inside said sight glass, sosaid user can see said indicator objects contained in said cage, saidindicator objects are visible to said user looking through said sightglass, thereby providing visual notifications to said user.
 36. A methodfor monitoring liquid flow of claim 35, wherein said indicator objectswill provide both visual notifications and audible notifications to saiduser.